There are several factors to consider when choosing the best vitamin C capsules. The capsules should provide a vitamin C dosage that’s considered safe by experts, meets your health needs, and won’t negatively affect your current medications or health conditions. Also, it’s just as important to choose supplements that fit your budget as it is to choose supplements manufactured by reputable companies. If you’re experiencing a deficiency, understand that pills are not the only sources of vitamin C. Before you begin shopping, consider the possibility of increasing your vitamin C intake by making dietary changes.

Vitamin C is an important nutritional supplement for treating and preventing a variety of mild and major health conditions. A vitamin C deficiency could weaken your immune system, cause bleeding gums and easily bruised skin, and even lead to anemia due to insufficient red blood cells. Some people experience health problems related to their cardiovascular systems and eye health. If you notice any of these symptoms or conditions, it’s important to begin managing your vitamin C intake as soon as possible. This might mean making changes to your diet or investing in vitamin C capsules.

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Depending on how much vitamin C you’re already getting from your diet, you might not need to take a supplement. Certain food sources of vitamin C, for example, include citrus fruits and leafy and green vegetables. If your diet already consists of plenty of fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, and peas, you might already get enough daily vitamin C. If your diet lacks these foods, or if the foods you eat are prepared in ways that deplete the natural vitamin C, you might consider modifying your eating habits before you choose vitamin C tablets. If you’re unsure of how much vitamin C you’re getting, and whether it would be best to alter your diet or supplement your vitamin intake, consider talking with a nutrition specialist and perhaps your doctor.

If you opt to take vitamin C capsules, you’ll need to consider several factors as you shop around. Cost is an issue for many people, but understand that a more expensive vitamin doesn’t necessarily mean a better quality vitamin. Usually, the good reputation of the manufacturer is more important than the price of the vitamins. Ask a nutritionist or pharmacist to suggest several vitamin manufacturers he trusts. Create a list from those suggestions, and then spend some time researching those manufacturers.

Be sure to choose capsules that provide the right dosage. The United States, Europe, and Australia refer to the recommended dosage of a supplement as the Recommended Daily Intake or Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Currently, the RDA for vitamin C is 60 milligrams. Some nutrition experts claim dosages as high as 2,000 milligrams are acceptable. If you don’t live in any of those areas, you can find out the RDA or equivalent in your region by checking with its governing body on nutritional supplements.

The RDA might make it seem as if the recommended amount of vitamin C is the right amount for every person, but this isn’t true. For example, the vitamin C capsules you choose must fit basic factors such as your age, gender, height, and weight, as well as your current health needs and goals. You must make sure the dosage won’t worsen any diseases or illnesses you have, or negatively interact with any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take. Usually, you can find this kind of information by reading the warning labels included with the capsules and your current medication.

Discuss this Article

ysminaPost 3

I'm taking vitamin C capsules too. I take ones with rose hips. I think they work better.

fBoylePost 2

@literally45-- I take 500mg time release/slow release vitamin C capsules. I don't have a sensitive stomach so that's not the reason why I take them. I take these because they stay in the system longer and are more effective. Other vitamin C supplements leave the system before being absorbed entirely. Slow release will probably be easier on your stomach too since the dose vitamin C is not absorbed all at once.

You may also want to look into coated vitamin C tablets. I think those are formulated for people with sensitive stomachs.

literally45Post 1

I need to take a vitamin C supplement. I'm unable to eat most foods with vitamin C because of acid reflux disease. Citrus fruits give me acidity and heartburn. I don't want my immune system to weaken and it's cold and flu season right now.

I found some vitamin C capsules that are time release. I think these might be easier on my stomach. Has anyone tried them?

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